==================================================== Newsletter - Issue 118 Date 11/14/09 ==================================================== ==================================================== Equipment - Books - DVD's - Instruction ==================================================== The Putting Game, http://www.theputtinggame.com/ I've had a chance to put this tool through its' paces and my impression is that it's a great tool for practicing your putting. It's priced in the premium range, but the quality is such that it really should last a lifetime, it's extremely sturdy. It is different than other products on the market since it does not use a physical cup but a virtual cup. The Putting Game puts a score on the precision of each putt (all putts are graded on a scale of 0 to 100 based on directional accuracy and speed). The device presents a series of putting challenges - typically 5 putts in each challenge, totals the individual putt scores, and then presents a final score. I tested it with the optional putting mat, which is 66" long. I set it up right next to my computer workstation and found myself using it daily, even when a testing session wasn't scheduled. If you look over their website, you'll see that it has 6 games programmed in to the computer. I found myself liking some more than others, and of course I added a couple of tweaks to get more out of my own practice. When I practiced a pure in line pendulum stroke, I set up an elevated aimline - which extended beyond both ends of the mat so that I could make sure that my stroke was remaining square to my aimline. Without looking for the result, I would get auditory feedback from the computer letting me know if I hit the virtual target or not. That allows you to feel what "staying down and through the stroke" feels like. I'm sure that this would help anyone develop a good stroke for relatively short putts. For distance control, http://www.theputtinggame.com/about/works.aspx ,all putts are taken from the 5 foot range, and the machine gives you feedback based on the strength of your stroke compared to the settings you input for desired distance and green speed. The greens at BCC are around 10.5 on a stimp meter (my estimate) so that's what I used. For my own tweak on this game (drill), I set the machine up where I could put a visual target at the desired length of the putt I was practicing, beyond the end of the machine, and then stroked the putt. The machine gives feedback on the exact distance the putt would have rolled, which is pretty cool. I'm sure that The Putting Game will help golfers build confidence, sharpen their directional accuracy, and improve their distance control. If you have young golfers in the family, it also makes practice fun - it would be a great Christmas present for all the golfers in the family. I give this product 2 thumbs up for usefulness as well as value. If you can afford it, you can't go wrong. Editors note: I get no sort of commission or financial benefit for sales of this product, so my testing is objective. Enjoy, Tom ==================================================== TCT Quick Tips - See The Back Of The Ball ==================================================== At impact you must see as much - or more - of the back of the ball as you did at address. When that happens, you kept your head behind the ball, a key to good impact position. Practice this by making a mark on a ball, and set up to hit a shot (with or without a club in your hands). Position the mark at the back so that you see it at address, then swing to your impact position and hold. If you can see the mark on the back of the ball, you are in good position. ==================================================== Golf Tip: Books & Workouts Q & A ==================================================== This is a really long section today - sorry but I didn't now what to leave out! Tom Here’s a question I received from Mark M. a student who took my advanced putting class: Q: Tom, with the good weather days dwindling away I have began to think about an off season conditioning program. Do you have any recommendations on a good book or workout routine for the winter months? I would like to work on flexibility and strength training as well as take advantage of the putting tools acquired in your advanced putting class. Also since you are such a fan of Dave Pelz and PIL putting have you had a chance to read his book called "Damage Control" and did you have any thoughts on it? I am an avid reader of golf books so one last question. If you were to build your golf library from scratch again what books are a MUST HAVE. Also just so you know after taking the advanced putting class I was able to post the best stats for our year long putting stroke average as I dropped from 1.76 before to 1.61 .Thanks again for the proper putter fitting and I look forward to going lower next year . Thanks Mark A: My first comment is thanks for the kudos on the class Mark, and THANK YOU for doing what most golfers do not do - for tracking your results. It's amazing how many players take instruction, read books, and watch DVD's then do not REALLY track their results in detail. Well done Mark. Mark's question actually inspired me to create a 20 minute workout routine and put it up here: http://www.wnygolflessons.com/20minworkout.html Try it, you'll like it - it's quick, not too difficult, and effective. I'll answer the easy question first: I pre-ordered Pelz's Damage Control book from Amazon, and in fact it shipped yesterday. I'll let you know how I like it after I've read it twice. A: GOOD BOOK OR WORKOUT ROUTINE FOR WINTER MONTHS I personally subscribe to the theory that a general strength workout routine, cardio, and stretching is more than adequate for preparing your body for what's necessary to execute a good golf swing. That's pretty much what Tiger does, and it seems to serve him well. Having said that, here's an important tip: work your muscles compatibly with the swing that you want to utilize. When I discuss must have books I'll explain which body types work best with certain swing methods. For now, suffice to say that if your body type is loose and lanky, do weight resistance exercises that utilize medium weights with a large amount of reps. For example, your lifting might be in the (3) sets of 12 to 15 reps range. If your body type is more muscular, then do weight resistance exercises with more weight and a smaller amount of reps. For example, your lifting routine might be in the (3) sets of 8 to 10 reps range. There are some exotic and expensive golf specific exercise DVD's and books on the market, but I'm not convinced that they really do anything better than a traditional progressive resistance program (weight training). Many moons ago, in the 1970's, when I was in the beginning of my NY State Police career, I set up and ran the physical training program at the NYSP Academy. Doing my research, I found what I feel is still the definitive book on progressive resistance training: Progressive Resistance Exercise by DeLorme & Watkins, it's costs around $32 including shipping and handling, and you can get it here: http://www.superstrengthbooks.com/delorme_watkins.html This book is a bit more academic than entertaining, but I like it because they did their in depth homework on the subject. After you read it you will have a complete understanding of the relationship between sets and reps in weight training. There are some specific stretching exercises that could benefit a golfer, and one book on stretching that offers golf specific stretches in my library is: STRETCHING by Bob Anderson and Jean Anderson, $12.21 at Amazon.com If you don't want to invest in a weight set, or if weight training turns you off, check out my own 20 minute routine here: http://www.wnygolflessons.com/20minworkout.html A: MUST HAVE BOOKS Wow, where do I start with this one. I'll try to whittle my list down to several books that would give any golfer a good foundation for building a swing. I also own many DVD's, because the easiest way for me to study and learn a swing includes seeing it after I read about it. In golf, I think that's almost a necessity. FULL SWING METHOD BOOKS There are generally four prevalent swing methods being taught now. There may be more methods, but they all encompass elements of either a traditional 2 plane swing, a modified traditional swing which blends elements of a 2 plane swing and a rotary swing, a rotary swing, or a one plane swing. My top 3 full swing method books (and DVD) recommendations are: The 8 Step Swing by Jim McLean, DVD of the same title Hank Haney's Essentials of the Swing The Rotary Swing (book), Swing Plane Made Simple (DVD) To get a feel for what a more traditional swing is all about, this is a good book: Hank Haney's Essentials of the Swing: A 7-Point Plan for Building a Better Swing and Shaping Your Shots by Hank Haney (Hardcover - April 6, 2009) $24.95 at Amazon.com Haney also has a couple of DVD's out which I'm sure are great, but I don't have them because although the book was a good read, it didn't satisfy my thirst for detail, and the next two books and DVD's do. Haney's book isn't about a pure 2 plane swing, but it leans that way. I think it's good to read along with the others mentioned here for a complete overview of the full swing. This book and DVD are excellent and very detailed, perhaps too much detail for a casual reader, but if you want a great breakdown of full swing technique I've seen or read nothing better: The 8 Step Swing by Jim McLean, DVD of the same title. Mclean has come out with another DVD series called The Building Block Approach http://www.buildingblockapproach.com/about.php which I bought two weeks ago for about $85 and really like. You can get the The 8 Step Swing book for around $15 and the DVD for about $25 at Amazon.com, IMHO you don't need the Building Block Approach, the older book and DVD will suit you just fine. This book and DVD offer a very easy to understand swing method concept: The Rotary Swing (book), Swing Plane Made Simple (DVD). The book costs $20 plus shipping, the DVD costs $49.95 plus shipping. These items are very user friendly, and what I like about this author, Chuck Quinton, is that he has done his homework and bases his technique on sound physical biomechanical principles. These two books are what the modern swing is all about: The 8 Step Swing by Jim McLean and The Rotary Swing. Which is best for you? When you are swinging a club and you get to the point where you have completed your backswing and have started your weight shift, that's when the club shaft is "loaded" If your mindset as a golfer is "Load and Swing", the 8 step swing method would likely be a very good swing method for you. It's also likely that your body type and movements are loose and lanky, and that you are a relatively relaxed person. On the other hand, if your mindset as a golfer is "Load and Explode" , the Rotary Swing method is a better fit. Your approach to the swing is a bit more aggressive, you probably are more muscular than lanky, and you probably walk at a brisk pace. Regardless of body types and aggression, if you like one method better than the other, dedicate yourself to learning it and you'll probably be better off than you are now. I didn't recommend any of the pure One Plane Swing method books or DVD's, even though I own them, because the swing feels really awkward and very few pros are using that swing anymore. Almost all of the touring pros use a method similar to the 8 Step Swing or the Rotary Swing, or a combination of elements from both methods. SHORT GAME BOOKS AND DVD'S I've got a ton, but I recommend The Putting Game Bible and The Short Game Bible by Dave Pelz, available through Amazon.com at around $25 each BETWEEN THE EARS BOOKS Golf Is Not A Game of Perfect - Dr. Bob Rotella, Sports Psychologist $15 plus shipping Amazon.com Talent Is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else by Geoff Colvin $15 plus shipping Amazon.com This book is not golf specific, but it spells out what is necessary to achieve excellence. Enjoy, Tom